Transform An Old-School Cocktail Into Your New Favorite Boozy Snack

Well-crafted cocktails appeal to varying senses. At first, the appearance catches the eye, then the aroma intrigues, and — hopefully — the sip subsequently delights. Yet despite the many tipples of such a template, cocktails are nevertheless dependably liquid. Even so, you can transform an old-school drink into a snack and enjoy a revamped sensory experience.

A piña colada is an excellent candidate for such an adaptation. The cocktail comes packed with rich, fruity flavors, upheld by the delightful pairing of pineapple and rum. So rather than blending or juicing the fruit into a drinkable form, infuse bite-sized pieces with the piña colada's palate. The assembly strongly differs from the boozy drink; there's no blender or shaker involved. Yet for fans of spirituous snacking, the results nevertheless delight.

The process requires some patience. After breaking down the pineapple — perhaps even opening without a knife — you'll need to soak the fruit in rum and coconut cream and refrigerate for as long as 12 hours. Once the pineapple morsels infuse with booze, they'll then be ready for a garnish and enjoyment.

Just like when crafting mixed drinks, the snack's quality largely rests on the employed spirit. It's helpful to know a few things about rum in order to attain the desired flavors. A traditional piña colada employs white rum, a colorless variety of the spirit with less barrel character. To craft these bites, you could certainly use such a bottle, or even a white rum-based coconut liqueur like Malibu.

However, to impart a more robust character into the dish, pour some dark rum over the pineapple instead. The spirit's more molasses-forward character, as well as aging duration, imbues the fruit with richer flavors that better translate in an infusion. And for an extra dash of tropical notes, consider also employing the aforementioned coconut liqueur as well as coconut cream in the mix, too. Take note that the employed spirit and marination time define the pineapple bites — so opt for a rum mix that appeals to you.

Once your fruit has been thoroughly soaked, recall cocktail garnishes, and dress up the pineapple chunks for further enjoyment. For a delicious textural element, coat the pieces in toasted shredded coconut. And contrast with pleasant airiness by dolloping each pineapple with a whipped coconut cream. Finalize with an optional eye-catching maraschino cherry on top, and you'll have a dish that resembles an edible drink. Serve as a fun party bite, a simple dessert after dinner, or enjoy munching solo; this might just become your favorite snack altogether.